I'LL SING FOR YOU is the musical odyssey of African Blues singer Boubacar "KarKar" Traoré that takes us on a social, political and geographic voyage of Mali from 1960 to today. — In the sixties, the people of Mali awoke eac... more &raquoh morning to the sound of Boubacar "KarKar" Traoré's voice on the radio, singing of independence. Nicknamed the Malian Elvis, Boubacar Traoré introduced "The Twist" to the West African nation of Mali in the late 1950s, and sang songs of independence to his fellow countrymen in the early 60s. But after a few short years of promise, as Mali's government became increasingly repressive and the economy stagnated, KarKar's career followed a similar trajectory. Both his life and his country's struggles spiraled into poverty and despair, and Traoré was left existing somewhere between myth and obscurity.

Boubacar put aside his guitar for decades and worked to feed his family. After his wife died, Boubacar, heartbroken, left for France where he was able work and sing on weekends in the Parisian immigrant shelters where he lived. Everyone in Mali thought KarKar was dead -- until many years later a music producer discovered an old recording of his and tracked him down, beginning a new career for KarKar.

Director Jacques Sarasin lovingly chronicles Boubacar's journey back home following him throughout Mali, as he plays his sweet and affecting blues melodies with fellow musicians like blues master Ali Farka Touré, percussionist Madieye Niang and Kora player Ballaké Sissoko. Archival footage and photos, as well as stories from friends about his life and legacy round out the film.

The DVD Features many bonuses including three KarKar performance films, an interview with Lieve Joris, author of "Mali Blues", and an interview with ethnographer Youssopuf Tata Cissé.

{FIRST PRIZE at the 2001 Montevideo International Film Festival}&laquo less